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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3621
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 10:37 am: | 
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Never having suffered from allergies myself, and having grown up in a house where no one else suffered from allergies, I'm not sure what allergies might "look" like.
Backstory: Child #2 came down with a hideous cold a couple weeks back. Went through a period of horrible coughing. Runny, stuffy nose, etc. About a week later, child #3 came down with--what I thought--was a cold too. Again, some coughing, although not as bad as his brother, runny nose, etc. Anyway, child #2 seems to be improving, while child #3 shows little or no change. Lately, I've been noticing he rubs his eye a lot. Initially, I thought he was just tired because he was up in the middle of the night 3 nights in a row, and was having substandard naps. Now, he's slept through the last two nights and has been getting consistant naps, and he's still really going at his eyes, and they look kinda puffy and have the appearance of dark circles.
Thus, the question: Is it allergies or just a cold and is there a way to tell the difference between the two?
My husband, who suffers from allergies himself, swears it's allergies. But then he tends to be a "worst case scenario" kind of guy.
And, last question: if it is allergies, what can I give the kid (he's 2.5) for some relief, and how would treatment differ from a cold? I've been giving him Pedia Care, but it doesn't seem to have any effect.
Obviously, I'll be looking in to investigating this further with our pediatrician. But I'm thinking I'll be told there's not much to do about it if it is allergies anyway?
Just thought folks with more experience in this might be able to shed some light.
Thanks in advance! |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 997
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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About 5 of my friends have had problems with bronchitis and sinus infections, coughs and itchy eyes over the past 3 - 4 weeks. Most of them have been told by their doctors that their problems are allergy-related.
I used to have similar problems this time of year, but we've taken down a large Norway Maple tree that grew in our yard (it was looking unstable and we didn't want it coming down in a high wind). Ever since that tree has been gone, I haven't been sneezing, coughing or dealing with itchy eyes. Then I realized that for a month every spring, my car, the yard and driveway were all covered with that green pollen, and all the little florets were being tracked into the house. All from that one large tree. I'm convinced there's a connection between that tree and my sneezing, coughing, etc.
I found Tylenol for allergies was great for me, but I don't know if there is a children's formulation. I'd check with the doctor. I do recall that it was hard to tell if it was a cold or an allergy at first, since the allergies made my sneezy and headachy. For me, if it went into a sinus problem, I would know because my upper teeth would all hurt and my eyes would be sensitive to bright light. Once either of those things happened, I was sure it was an allergic condition, not viral.
Hope your family feels better soon! With everything budding about now, it is a difficult (but beautiful) time of year. |
hismom
Citizen
Username: Hismom
Post Number: 417
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:25 am: |
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My 6 year old has terrible allergies and has for about 3 years. Runny nose, rubbing eyes and "allergy shiners" (dark circles under his eyes) are the symptoms that lead me to the pediatrician with him.
I give him Claritin Reditabs based on Dr. Commandatore's advice. I tried benadryl, initially, and when that helped she said that that seemed to *prove* it was allergies. Since I have terrible allrgies to these beautiful dogwood trees we have all around, I'm not surprised my son has them, too. (so far my 3yo daughter hasn't shown any signs of allergies.) |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 3276
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:40 am: |
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My daughter's allergies were expecially agressive this time of year when she was in Maplewood Middle School - the gym class would do laps around the park and she's very allergic to all those lovely flowering trees. My pediatritian told me to make sure she showered at night to get all the pollen out of her hair before she put head to pillow. A simple solution, but it really made a difference. |
MB Goff
Citizen
Username: Mbgoff
Post Number: 48
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 4:51 pm: |
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To echo SoOrLady's post try showering at night, changing the bed linens more frequently (to rid of any allergens), and wipe the little one's face often with a wash cloth and warm water during the day. If the symptoms improve it may be allergies. We suffer greatly at this time of year and my 13 yo son is on meds from now through the end of the summer. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1189
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 4:54 pm: |
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The tendency to allergies can be inherited, so if your husband has them it's a strong possibility that you kids have them also. The only way to be really sure is to take the kids to an allergist. |
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